Apec Schools: Party time

Bodyguards mumbling into their jacket collars, tinted car windows, and the screeching sirens of police-escort vehicles are the images movies give us of world leaders moving around the globe. By Eleisha McNeill, Anna Payne and Rebecca Davidson

What the movies do not show us is the planning behind the travels of these leaders to international events like Apec, the most important diplomatic event New Zealand has hosted.

Because the conference will attract world-wide attention, it is important for both international relations and tourism that the event runs smoothly.

To achieve this, careful planning has been underway for at least two years, with every element of the Apec delegates' visit to New Zealand arranged to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Planning secure routes for the delegates' motorcades (where the VIPs' cars move in convoy with their bodyguards and police) has been a major element of police preparations.

Their traffic plan involves road closures and parking restrictions between September 11 and 13.

As well as schools being given the day off to ease traffic, roads between the airport and Auckland city, and some inner-city roads, will be closed to all unofficial traffic to avoid congestion while motorcades transport the leaders about town.

Inspector Brent Holmes, the Operation Apec planning officer, said police expected up to 200 motorcade movements a day, with each taking up to an hour to reach its destination.

Three main routes and three secret alternative passages between the city and the airport will be closed when needed.

Road closures are the responsibility of the Apec security team, which is overseen by the New Zealand Police.

The police have contingency plans for all possible security risks, and have introduced a number of measures to ensure the safety of visiting world leaders.

The first major step for security planners was the change of existing weapons laws to allow delegates' bodyguards to carry guns in case of an assassination attempt.

Less permanent measures have also been put in place, with access to Apec venues, including the Auckland Domain, restricted for the duration of the conference.

Manholes, roadside mailboxes, and drain gratings along planned travel routes will be checked for signs of interference and sealed to protect against the planting of bombs.

In addition, police marksmen have been looking for places where snipers could hide, and the armed offenders squad has secured several prime locations to station sharpshooters should trouble arise.

Search teams have been organised to ensure the delegates' hotels and conference venues are safe, and staff at these hotels have been trained in security procedures and will liaise with security staff.

Most hotels are fully booked through Apec, with an estimated 6000 to 7000 people, including leaders' spouses, staff and media.

Preparation of conference venues and entertainment has been underway for more than a year.

The official leaders' dinner will be held at the Auckland Town Hall on September 12.

The dinner, with 418 guests and around 450 staff, is designed to reflect New Zealand's diverse culture.

Chefs must cater for a range of specialised dietary and religious needs. No shellfish or pork will be served, and use of alcohol in dishes will be closely monitored.

Chosen chefs will have spent eight weeks searching the country for the best local produce.

Waiting staff have passed a screening process and some have been training for up to three months.

The National Youth Orchestra will entertain guests, and furniture and tableware have been selected to reflect a New Zealand theme.

A special spouses' programme has also been organised for the duration of the conference. This includes shopping at DFS Galleria, demonstrations of sheep shearing and cattle herding in Cornwall Park, and a visit to Puketutu Island in Manukau Harbour.

*Eleisha McNeill, Anna Payne and Rebecca Davidson are journalism students at the Auckland Institute of Technology.